A second runway at Birmingham Airport would remove night noise nuisance for at least 13,000 people, a new report has revealed.

Airport bosses say the £7 billion plans to include extra runway capacity to the east of the airport would improve the night-time quality of life for thousands of householders in the vicinity.

The second runway scheme is being backed by up to 150 local businesses, Chambers of Commerce, district councils and other organisatons as part of the airport’s submission to the Airports Commission.

The case for a second runway, drawn up by executives, says it would remove over 13,000 people from night noise disturbance because the current runway would not be used for evening flights.

Meanwhile, the managing director of Longbridge-based MG Motor UK, William Wang, has thrown his weight behind the scheme, calling for direct links from Birmingham to China to boost UK trade.

Birmingham Airport chief executive Paul Kehoe said: “We believe that our proposal ticks all the Airport Commission’s boxes. We have the potential to grow the airport to eventually serve 70 million passengers – the equivalent of the size of Heathrow today – whilst reducing the number of people currently affected by night noise.

“What is more, people in the Midlands are united behind our proposals. Our submission has widespread support from stakeholders, including the LEPs, local councils and local businesses.

“This is because people recognise that to grow local economies outside the South-East and re-balance growth, we need direct international connectivity to encourage inward investment and support trade.”

William Wang, of MG Motor UK said: “The UK manufacturing base is outside the South-East and, as a result, it suffers from a lack of direct air links with crucial long-haul markets like China. A Birmingham to Shanghai route alone would enable hundreds of business flights a year to operate.”